Rallying

The day is coming when the shoot from the root of King David's father Jesse, will stand as the rally pole for the people of the world. Even the non-Jewish nations will be attracted to him. His house will be glorious. ~ Isaiah 11:10 (ABP)

The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” ~ Mark 1:10-11 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Everything points to Jesus, God's chosen.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for so clearly pointing to Christ Jesus, the source of life and hope. Forgive me for allowing competing voices to rent space in my head. I need help focusing and tuning out all that is fake. I'm going to rally around Jesus -- my sole allegiance. Amen.

Acknowledge

Acknowledge that GOD is God -- no competition. Contrary to popular notions of self-made men he's the one who made us. So we belong to him. We are his people -- sheep under his care, in his pasture. ~ Psalm 100:3 (ABP)

In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist. ~ Acts 17:27-28 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Acknowledge that God keeps us close to himself so that we can live rich lives.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for paying attention to me. Indeed, in spite of my negligence toward you, you continue to hold things together and to fill my life with wonder and delight. Help me to more freely acknowledge your role in my life. I'm going to enjoy the life that you have given to me. Amen.

Living right

The 13th Sunday after Pentecost

The fruit of righteousness will be peace,
     and the outcome of righteousness,
     calm and security forever.
~ Isaiah 32:17 (CEB)

God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 14:17 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Right living, peace, and joy go hand-in-hand as we live out God's kingdom agenda.

PRAYER
God, it's a great thing that you have done for us -- and to which you call us. Your victorious sacrifice means we can participate in your righteousness -- your justice. Rein us in so that we can focus on these basics. I confess that I tend to drift and let unimportant things take over my life. But by your grace I'm going to focus on living right, creating peace around me, and sharing my joy with others -- in Jesus' name. Amen.

Gratitude

Around that same time, Hezekiah became deathly ill and prayed to the LORD, who answered him with a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah was too proud to respond appropriately to the kindness he had received... ~ 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (CEB)

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. ~ Luke 17:15-16 (NLT)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Every response to God should be characterized by gratitude.

PRAYER
Generous God, there is so much for which we should be grateful. But we forget -- I forget -- distracted by the next -- the next need -- the next want -- the desire to push on to the next thing. Could it be that you are slowing us down so we can count our blessings? May it be so -- might the gratitude well up within us so that it overflows and overcomes the indifference around us. Amen.